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Laura Cathrine Munch (f.Bjølstad 1837-1868) Karen Bjølstad, "aunt Karen" (1839-1931)
Edvard Munchs mother, born in Storgaten 28 i Fredrikstad Born in Fredrikstad
"An artist always needs a woman who will stand behind him at all times, while pointing the way forward."
Edvard Munch
Fredrikstad has a secret and an artistic connection that is not widely known. Laura Cathrine Bjølstad was born here, in Storgaten 28, on May 10th 1837. She would marry Christian Munch in Glemmen Church and in 1863 give birth to one of the world´s greatest artists, Edvard Munch. A few years after the birth of Laura Cathrine her sister Karen Bjølstad came into the world. This girl would become Edvard Munch´s beloved "Aunt Karen", an unusual and creative woman who saw and understood the extraordinary talent in her nephew.
2013 will be the 150th anniversary of the birth of Edvard Munch. To mark the occasion we are hoping to erect a monument in Fredrikstad to the two women who were closest to him, his mother Laura Cathrine and his "Aunt Karen". The monument is also intended as a celebration of all the women who "stand behind" and "point the way forward". A symbol of all the women who selflessly and invisibly devote themselves to supporting those around them. We all know a few of them.
The sculptress Birthe Marie Løveid has agreed to create the monument of the two women which will symbolize not only their story, but also all the sacrifices that women have made. The name of the monument will be MUNCHS MØDRE - Munchs two mothers, and here we can present the model:
 Munchs two mothers
The way ahead leading to the unveiling of the monument on May 10th 2013 will be long. It is a costly undertaking, but if interested parties stand together and contribute what they think they can, the goal will seem much closer than we thought.
Would you like to contribute to making these "forgotten women" more visible? You can choose to make a contribution either anonymously or with your full name to bank DnB NOR account no.:
IBAN NO58 1503 1261 004
Swift code: DNBANOKKxxx
A box containing the names of all contributors will be inserted under the monument. If you send me an e-mail you will be added to our mailing list and receive updates on the progress of the project.
I hope you will find this interesting and invest in and own a part of the monument that will illuminate the part these women have played in our history and symbolize the role played by all women who "stand behind" and "point forward".
(Translation by Andrew J Boyle)
Hopefully
Torill Stokkan
munch2013@live.no
www.edvardmunch2013.no
www.munch2013.no
 
Storgaten 28 in Fredrikstad Edvard Munch (1863-1944)
"You are an artist by the grace of God. Everything you do seems divinely inspired, that´s wonderful to think of, when other artists have to struggle so much."
Wrote Karen Bjølstad to her nephew Edvard Munch
Edvard Munchs "two mothers" | |
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Edvard Munch´s connections to Østfold
Laura Cathrine Munch (née Bjølstad), Edvard Munch´s mother.
Born in Storgaten 28 in Fredrikstad May 10th 1837.
Died in 1868, leaving behind her husband and five children.
Laura Cathrine Bjølstad & Christian Munch were joined in marriage in Glemminge (Glemmen) Church October 15th 1861.
"Aunt Karen"
Karen Bjølstad, Edvard Munch´s aunt. Born in Storgaten 28 in Fredrikstad October 25th 1839.
On the death of her sister Laura Cathrine, Karen took responsibility for the welfare of her five children.
Karen Bjølstad often used by Edvard Munch as a model, e.g. "Vaar" (1889) and "Det syke barn" (1885).
Died 91 years old in 1931. Buried in Nordstrand in Oslo.
Grandfather Bjølstad
Edvard Munch painted his grandfather on his death bed in Fredrikstad in 1888. The old sailor had fathered 24 children.
Hankø anno 1888
Edvard Munch paints "Notbinderen" on Hankø and visits the artist Hans Gude and his wife.
Grimsrød farm, Jeløy
Edvard Munch rents Grimsrød farm on Jeløy, 1913 to 1917.
"Anene, kvinnene og livet"
A book about Edvard Munch´s connections to Østfold, 1996.
Written by Torill Stokkan
Published with support from Norsk Kulturråd, Østfold county and Fredrikstad municipality.
www.victoriaforlag.no
Sculptress Birthe Marie Løveid has agreed to create the monument.
www.birthemarie.com
The monument Munchs two mothers will be unveiled May 10th 2013
The organisation:
Munchs Mothers 2013
org.nr 994 445 286
Banc account:
DnB NOR 1503.12.61004
IBAN NO58 1503 1261 004
Swift: DNBANOKKxxx
Together we can preserve the past and beautify the present!
Together we have a lot to give!
Donated sum so far:
24.04.08 n.kr. 100.-
01.02.10 n.kr. 44.700.-
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